The sheer presence of his demeanor made Wang Xiaofeng's good impression of Er Zhu skyrocket. She never imagined that the person she had once looked down upon was now so capable!
Hearing this, Li Mei, standing beside them, was dumbfounded. She looked at Er Zhu in disbelief, her eyes moist.
They had never expected Er Zhu to be such an accomplished person when they adopted him!
Er Zhu's transformation over this period of time replayed like a movie in Li Mei's mind. While she felt gratified, she increasingly felt that Er Zhu was truly not suited for life in the countryside!
He should be in the town, in the provincial capital, or even in the capital city!
But if that were the case, the distance between her and Er Zhu would grow wider and wider. She… would ultimately lose him!
As this thought crossed her mind, Li Mei's surging emotions instantly turned somber. Her heart was filled with turmoil.
"You all sit for a while. Mei Jie and I are going out to buy some groceries."
Er Zhu suddenly noticed Li Mei's unusual expression. He guessed what was on her mind and, after saying this, pulled Li Mei out the door.
Feeling the warmth in his hand, Li Mei wanted to break free, but she couldn't.
Seeing Er Zhu tightly grasping Li Mei's hand, Wang Xiaofeng's brow furrowed. She suddenly felt a sense of unease!
"Xiaofeng, what's destined to be yours will be yours. If it's not, don't force it,"
Watching Wang Xiaofeng stare fixedly in the direction Er Zhu had left, Wang Lao, who had lived a full life, naturally understood his granddaughter's feelings and tactfully reminded her.
Er Zhu was indeed good, but in his eyes, fate was more important.
Er Zhu's performance just now was enough to show Li Mei's position in his heart. He did not want Wang Xiaofeng to disrupt someone else's relationship, nor did he want their Wang family to have such a shameless woman!
"I… I understand, Grandpa."
Wang Xiaofeng was taken aback. She naturally understood the implied meaning behind Wang Lao's words. Reluctantly, she withdrew her gaze, her eyes filled with dejection.
"Er Zhu, why are you pulling me? It's not good if others see,"
Upon reaching the main entrance, Li Mei felt too embarrassed. She forcefully shook off Er Zhu's hand, warily glancing at the passersby outside.
"Mei Jie, I don't want you thinking about those silly things anymore. I told you, I will always take you with me, no matter where we go, I will take you!"
Er Zhu held Li Mei's shoulders, making her look him in the eye, and solemnly promised for the first time.
His passionate gaze made Li Mei's face instantly blush. She struggled, her expression extremely complex.
"Er Zhu, don't do this. It's not good if people see."
Li Mei kept glancing around while hesitantly trying to pull her shoulders away.
"What's not good about it? It was you who didn't mind me being a fool back then that led to who I am today. Is there anything wrong with me wanting to take you with me forever?"
Er Zhu's grip on Li Mei's shoulders tightened. He no longer cared about anyone's opinion!
"Alright, what you say is right. I won't think about it anymore."
Li Mei heard approaching footsteps from a distance and didn't want to prolong the entanglement, so she gave a perfunctory reply.
"Mei Jie, what are you two talking about?"
Li Juan, who had gone out for a walk, turned the corner and saw Li Mei and Er Zhu. Seeing Li Mei's flustered demeanor, her eyes were filled with confusion.
"It's nothing. We have guests at home. Go back and entertain them. Mei Jie and I are going to buy some groceries."
Li Mei quickly shook her head, pointed towards the house, and then pulled Er Zhu by the wrist towards the supermarket.
Li Juan watched their retreating figures, somewhat bewildered, but didn't press further.
That evening, Li Mei and Li Juan prepared a table full of dishes. Wang Lao drank to his heart's content and eventually got drunk!
After sending Wang Lao and Wang Xiaomei off, Er Zhu returned to his room to cultivate.
In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.
Er Zhu soon arrived at the reserved hotel. Seeing the familiar establishment, Er Zhu smiled faintly.
What a coincidence, Wang Lao had chosen the Qingya Hotel!
Led by a waiter, Er Zhu arrived at the private room Wang Lao had booked, only to be stopped by bodyguards.
"Get lost, beggar! An important meeting is about to take place here!"
The suited bodyguards waved their hands, their eyes filled with disdain and contempt.
Wang family meetings would never invite such a pauper. This kind of person didn't even qualify to carry their shoes!
"Hey, what kind of a bodyguard are you, looking down on people with such snobbery? This is the village chief of Shiliu Village, and the owner of this Qingya Hotel!"
The waiter who had guided Er Zhu couldn't stand it any longer. He pointed at the bodyguard and shouted loudly.
As the staff at Qingya Hotel were all from Taohua Village, they were well aware of Er Zhu's identity.
"Haha, this beggar is the village chief and the owner of this place? Girl, are you still dreaming?"
"If you're going to make up an excuse, at least make it a good one. Who would believe such nonsense? They'd be an idiot!"
Instead of feeling scared by the waiter's words, the bodyguard burst into laughter, holding his stomach as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"You… you person…"
The waiter's face turned green, and he raised his fist, about to charge forward. Er Zhu grabbed him, taking out the badge of the Wang Family Chinese Medicine Shop that Wang Lao had given him.
"Can I go in now?"
Seeing the badge, the bodyguard's face instantly darkened, a flicker of shock in his eyes.
This badge was only for those at the level of shop owner or above!
"I'm so sorry, boss. I must have been dreaming. I'm an idiot. Please don't hold it against me."
The bodyguard apologized with a fawning smile, his attitude completely reversed as he opened the private room door.
The waiter's face turned even greener. Er Zhu, however, acted as if he hadn't seen it, maintaining a calm expression. He had encountered many such insignificant individuals; if he got angry with them, he would have died of anger long ago.
As Er Zhu entered the private room, several shop owners were already present. Seeing Er Zhu's ordinary attire, their eyes were filled with even more disdain.
"Are the bodyguards outside blind? Letting just anyone in!"
"Get out quickly. Wang Lao is bringing a new partner soon. If Wang Lao sees you, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Damn it, my shop's turnover is already not high, and this morning I encounter such a pauper. What bad luck!"
…
Listening to the taunts and threats, Er Zhu ignored them and calmly took a seat next to the main position.
"Hey, get up. Is this a place you should be sitting?"
"Paupers are so uneducated. See how I deal with you!"
…
Seeing Er Zhu sit in the new partner's seat, the already displeased shop managers became even more furious. They spoke while trying to pull Er Zhu up, but the moment they saw his cold, clear eyes, they felt as if their entire bodies were frozen!
"This is you digging your own grave. Don't say we didn't warn you!"
One shop manager retreated backward, still threatening unwillingly, but his threat now sounded utterly hollow!